Gibbs returns as the area’s second-leading rusher from 2017 after producing 2,029 yards in nine games for an average of 225.4 yards per game. He has three college offers heading into the 2018 season.

Breakdown:

Tommy Langford was hired in March to replace departed coach Mark Moroz and found himself with one of the best core of skill players in WNC. The Greenies return top rusher Sidney Gibbs, who was one of three players to rush for over 2,000 yards last season. After missing most of the season with a right shoulder injury, junior Navy Shuler, the son of former NFL player Heath Shuler, will return to his starting quarterback role. Shuler will have several wide receiver targets in junior Aydan White, Keyvaun Cobb and Reynolds transfer Kaedin Robinson, who missed last season after an ACL tear, but Langford said is a Power 5 talent. He currently has one offer from Gardner-Webb. West Schuler, who played at the quarterback position last year, will return as the team’s defensive leader at linebacker after finishing the 2017 season with 92 tackles. The Greenies also added two late local transfer in West Henderson linebacker Jasper Thomas and Franklin lineman Kade Chapman. Both were headed into their senior seasons but were reclassified as juniors. Christ School recently opened a $6 million indoor athletic complex in April that included a 40-yard indoor football turf field.

Morrison missed the last few games of the 2017 season because of a shoulder injury, but returns as a top target for the Blues as well an important part of the defense.

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Asheville School will open the season on its new $3 million multi-purpose athletic complex against Oakbrook Prep on Aug. 24, and coach Gus Schill hopes it ushers in new a new wave of success for his program. The Blues return 16 starters from last year’s playoff team but will rely on junior Connor Davis to take over the quarterback position for departed senior Ahmad Galimore. Davis passed for 514 yards with seven touchdowns as a backup in 2017. The Blues return four of their offensive linemen and the majority of their skill players on offense, including wide receiver Ousmane Diallo (456 yards), running back Uchenna Ikwukor (684 yards) and Titus Morrison. Junior linebacker Thomas Good (100 tackles) returns after leading the Blues in tackles in 2017. East Henderson quarterback Chris Hemphill transferred late in the summer to Asheville School and will quickly become a valued member of the offense.

Olivo is the key to McDowell's offense, rushing for 832 yards on 166 carries in 2017. He also added 200 receiving yards on 18 catches and acts as the team's return specialist.

Breakdown:

McDowell struggled in its first season after realignment, moving away from the familiar Mountain Athletic Conference -- now the WMAC -- and running into tough competition in its new Northwestern 3A/4A Conference. But in his third year as coach, Andy Morgan said his team has acclimated to its new competition, and with 16 returning starters, should be ready to add higher numbers to the win column. After an injury-plagued junior season, Adam Randolph returns as the Titans' starting quarterback. Randolph struggled with a nagging shoulder injury during the 2017 season, but managed to pass for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Senior JC Olivo returns as the starting running back, and will run behind a fresh-faced offensive line. Andruw Randolph (437 yards in 2017) and Dakota Effler (385 yards) will be the team's top receiving targets, along with Steven Webb, who Morgan said is one of the fastest players in the conference. Cedric Biddle will anchor the defense at outside linebacker as the Titans continue to adjust to the NWC offensive schemes. Morgan said, unlike the MAC, several teams in their new conference run a Wing-T formation.